The joys of skiing

On the western coast of the US, May begins in the next 10 minutes. This in itself is not significant. It's just another day and just another beginning of another month. To me, however, it signifies a lot of things.

May, for all of my life, except for the past few years, has always meant searing heat, Alphonso mangoes and a wait for the first drops of glorious rain that arrive in June. May was the peak of summer.

Living in Raleigh, I didn't have to miss the heat or the wait for the thunderstorms but I did miss my Alphonso mangoes. I am glad that this year the Departments/Ministries of Agriculture have worked things out and I will be able to enjoy the mangoes I have waited for so long.

How is this relevant to the title you may ask and I would answer by saying that with all the thoughts about May racing in my head, the joys of skiing are fading from my memory. I wanted to write about them while they are still fresh in my mind.

Winter was never a difficult time growing up. It meant cooler, pleasant weather and never an intimidating time of the year. In the US, I learnt to worry about layered clothing, hand gloves, iced windshields and roads. I also understood how much fun freezing rain and winds were. My definition of winter was transformed. I stopped looking forward to it and started dreading it.

Skiing changed much of that. There is a lot to do during spring, summer and fall and I had never thought that I would have so much fun in an outdoor activity in winter. That's the first joy. You get to be outside doing something exhilarating even when it is overcast and snowing. Try being cooped up in your apartment on a weekend with the sun setting at 4 pm and you will get the idea about why it is such a joy.

The ski resort is a place where you see other people having a great time. You see families together, with parents teaching kids how to ski and snowboard. You witness people falling and still laughing. The bright colourful ski clothes making a great contrast against the pure white snow. Even during the most heavily overcast of days these scenes lift your mood. If by luck you have the sun shining then all the more better.

Then there is the sheer excitement of skiing down the mountain slope, trying hard not to fall down and trying harder to turn and stop when and where you want. You gradually become more interested in the techniques you see people employing around you and draw inspiration from little children doing much better than you. Your confidence builds up over time, hopefully without too many bumps, bruises and sprains.

All of these things make for a great day and I am looking forward to the next winter and the next ski season. Definitely give skiing a try if you ever get the chance.